Short Summary

The Japanese, who for years have dominated motor cycle racing and are making huge inroads in the domestic motor car markets, are still struggling to build a successful Formula One racer.

Description

The Japanese, who for years have dominated motor cycle racing and are making huge inroads in the domestic motor car markets, are still struggling to build a successful Formula One racer.

Their latest attempt, is the Maki, with a Japanese frame, but with an English Ford engine and a British driver.

It is only the second serious Japanese Formula One contender since Honda unsuccessful campaigned its air cooled V-12 powered cars in the late 1960's.

The Maki is sponsored by Japanese watch manufacturer Citizen, but on a shoe-string budget only.

It has only two engines, compared with up to ten engines and a spare car for some of the top Formula One drivers.

The film shows the Maki in practice for the Swiss Grand Prix at Dijon, in France, the day before the race, which was run on Sunday (24 August).

It was the first Swiss Grand Prix for 19 years. Switzerland banned motor racing in 1956 following a crash at Le Mans which killed more than 80 people. The sport is still illegal in Switzerland, so the race was held at the French circuit. The race did not count towards the World Championship.

The Maki, driven by Tony Trimmer of Britain, finished 13th in the race in a field of 17. The Grand Prix was won by Swiss driver Clay Regazzoni in a Ferrari.